Mahishasura Mardini Stotra: Lyrics, English Meaning & Profound Spiritual Benefits

महिषासुर मर्दिनी स्तोत्र — संस्कृत श्लोक, अर्थ और आध्यात्मिक लाभ

ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे

जय जगदम्बे! जय महिषासुर मर्दिनि!

One of the most powerful and beloved hymns dedicated to Adi Shakti Maa Durga, the Mahishasura Mardini Stotra (also known as Aigiri Nandini) celebrates the divine victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura.

Composed in praise of the fierce yet compassionate form of the Divine Mother, this stotra is a condensed essence of the Devi Mahatmya (Chandi Path). It invokes the Goddess as the slayer of evil, protector of dharma, and bestower of courage, peace, and liberation.

Chanting or listening to this stotra with pure devotion during Navratri, Durga Puja, or daily sadhana fills the heart with Shakti, removes fear, and grants victory over inner and outer obstacles.

Spiritual Significance of Mahishasura Mardini Stotra

Mahishasura represents ego, ignorance, and the beastly tendencies within every human being — pride, anger, lust, and delusion. By slaying him, Maa Durga teaches us that the Divine Feminine energy (Shakti) alone can conquer these inner demons.

The stotra reminds devotees that no matter how powerful negativity appears, sincere surrender to the Mother brings certain victory. It is not merely a song of battle but a profound prayer for inner transformation, courage, and ultimate union with the Divine.

“Ayi Girinandini…” — these sacred syllables have been chanted by saints, warriors, and householders for centuries to invoke fearlessness and divine grace.

Full Lyrics with English Transliteration & Meaning

Here is the complete Mahishasura Mardini Stotram with Sanskrit, transliteration, and devotional English meaning (verse by verse). Each stanza ends with the powerful refrain: Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardini, Ramya Kapardini, Shaila Suthe.

Verse 1 अयि गिरिनन्दिनि नन्दितमेदिनि विश्वविनोदिनि नन्दिनुते गिरिवर विन्ध्य शिरोऽधिनिवासिनि विष्णुविलासिनि जिष्णुनुते । भगवति हे शितिकण्ठकुटुम्बिनि भूरिकुटुम्बिनि भूरिकृते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ १ ॥

Ayi girinandini nanditamedini vishvavinodini nandinute Girivara vindhya shiro’dhi nivāsini vishnu vilāsini jishnunute Bhagavati he shitikantha kutumbini bhūri kutumbini bhūrikṛte Jaya jaya he mahishāsura mardini ramya kapardini shaila sute ॥ 1 ॥

Meaning: O Daughter of the Mountain (Himalaya), who delights the Earth and the entire universe, who is praised by Nandi! You who reside on the peaks of the Vindhya mountains, who sport with Lord Vishnu and are praised by Indra! O Bhagavati, consort of the blue-throated Shiva (Shankar), mother of the vast universe and creator of all! Victory to You, O Slayer of Mahishasura, with beautiful braided hair, O Daughter of the Mountain!

Verse 2 सुरवरवर्षिणि दुर्धरधर्षिणि दुर्मुखमर्षिणि हर्षरते त्रिभुवनपोषिणि शङ्करतोषिणि किल्बिषमोषिणि घोषरते । दनुजनिरोषिणि दितिसुतरोषिणि दुर्मदशोषिणि सिन्धुसुते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ २ ॥

Suravaravarṣiṇi durdharadharṣiṇi durmukhamarṣiṇi harṣarate Tribhuvanapoṣiṇi śaṅkaratoṣiṇi kilbiṣamoṣiṇi ghoṣarate Danujaniroṣiṇi ditisutaroṣiṇi durmadaśoṣiṇi sindhusute Jaya jaya he mahishāsura mardini ramya kapardini shaila sute ॥ 2 ॥

Meaning: O Bestower of boons to the gods, who crushed the invincible demon Durdhara and subdued the arrogant Durmukha! You who nourish the three worlds, delight Lord Shankara, destroy sins, and rejoice in battle! You who are angry with the demons, destroyer of Diti’s sons and their pride, born as the daughter of the ocean (Lakshmi form)! Victory to You, O Slayer of Mahishasura…

(The stotra continues in a similar powerful rhythm for all 21–22 verses, describing the Goddess’s various victories over demons like Madhu-Kaitabha, Raktabija, Shumbha-Nishumbha, and her compassionate protection of devotees.)

Popular Closing Verses (often chanted with great emotion) अयि सुमनःसुमनःसुमनः सुमनःसुमनोहरकान्तियुते शिरकृतफुल्लसमुल्लसितारुणतल्लजपल्लवसल्ललिते । जय जय जय जय जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Ayi sumanaḥ sumanaḥ sumanaḥ sumanaḥ sumanohara kāntiyute… Jaya jaya jaya jaya jaya jaya he mahishāsura mardini…

Final Prayer महिषासुरमर्दिनि स्तोत्रं यः पठति भक्तिमान् सर्वदा सुखमाप्नोति शत्रून् जयति सर्वदा ॥

How to Chant Mahishasura Mardini Stotra

Best Time: During Navratri (especially Ashtami and Navami), early morning after bath, or before starting any important work. Tuesday and Friday are also auspicious.
Method: Chant with full devotion. You may recite it 1, 3, 9, or 108 times. Listening with closed eyes while visualizing Maa Durga on her lion is highly effective.
Recommended: Play or sing along with traditional recordings during Durga Puja or daily morning sadhana.

Profound Spiritual Benefits of Reciting Mahishasura Mardini Stotra

Regular chanting or listening to this powerful stotra with faith brings transformative blessings:

Removes Fear & Inner Demons: Destroys ego, anger, doubt, laziness, and negative emotions — just as Maa Durga slayed Mahishasura.
Grants Courage & Victory: Bestows inner strength, confidence, and success in all endeavors — legal matters, exams, competitions, or life battles.
Protection from Negativity: Creates a divine shield against black magic, evil eye, enemies, and adverse planetary influences.
Removes Obstacles: Clears path for progress in career, education, marriage, and spiritual growth.
Brings Peace & Prosperity: Fills the mind with calm, removes sorrow, and attracts abundance and harmony in family life.
Spiritual Upliftment: Deepens devotion, purifies the mind, and leads toward self-realization and moksha.
Healing Benefits: Many devotees report relief from anxiety, depression, and physical ailments through regular practice.

Devi’s Own Promise (from Devi Mahatmya): “Wherever this hymn is sung daily with devotion, I shall always reside there and never leave.”

When to Chant for Maximum Benefit (2026)

Navratri 2026: Especially powerful during the nine nights of Maa Durga.
Daily Practice: Morning or evening for ongoing protection and peace.
Special Occasions: Before important events, during tough times, or on Tuesdays/Fridays.

Pro Tip: Combine chanting with offering red flowers, incense, and Mahaprasad to Maa Durga for faster manifestation of blessings.

Closing Prayer या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

May the fierce compassion of Mahishasura Mardini Maa Durga destroy all your inner and outer enemies and fill your life with victory, peace, and divine light.

जय माँ दुर्गे! जय महिषासुर मर्दिनि! ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे

Last updated: April 2026 | For more powerful Durga stotras, Navratri guides, aartis, and bhajans — visit www.hindutone.com